A Project Baltimore investigation has uncovered that Maryland taxpayers, in 2024, gave public schools hundreds of millions of dollars to educate students whose whereabouts were unknown.
It’s late September. And Maryland public schools are busy – not just educating students but counting them.
In Maryland, most of a school’s funding is based on the number of students enrolled on one day, September 30th. The students counted on that day largely determine a school’s funding the following year.
But a Project Baltimore investigation is raising serious questions about that process. We’ve learned, in 2024, taxpayers gave hundreds of millions of dollars to schools to educate students who could not be found.
State Delegate Kathy Szeliga represents Baltimore County. She’s also a former public-school teacher.
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“This is very concerning,” remarked Szeliga. “We need to do something to stop this problem.”
In total, in 2024, 891,553 Maryland students were counted on September 30.
Throughout that school year, according to the Maryland State Department of Education, 14,538 students in grades 7-12 unenrolled. The documented reason students unenrolled range from illness to employment. But the biggest category by far is “whereabouts unknown”. In 2024, 10,997 students were unenrolled because the school could not find them. But since the students were enrolled on paper on September 30, the schools received your money to educate them for the entire year.
“They don’t even know where these kids are. Are they safe? Are there safety risks for these kids? Is it fraud?” Questioned Szeliga.
According to state data, Maryland schools in 2024 received nearly $20,000 per student. Meaning, local and state taxpayers gave public schools statewide around $219 million, in just one year, to educate students whose whereabouts were unknown. And that amount does not include federal funding.
Funding missing students in Maryland is not a new problem. Project Baltimore first reported on the issue in 2021. But it is a problem that’s getting much worse.
In December 2021, then Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot told Fox45 News, “It’s unacceptable for taxpayers’ money to go for students that are knowingly not in the school system.”
In 2019, six years ago, the state reported 6,126 students whose whereabouts were unknown. Every year since the number has increased to 2024’s level of 10,997.
“Why are they continuing to increase the number of students they’re putting in the category of whereabouts unknown to receive funding for students that clearly do not attend school?” Szeliga asked.
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Following Project Baltimore’s reporting on missing students in 2021, Carroll County Delegate April Rose introduced legislation to count students four times a year, to increase accuracy. Her bill quickly died. Opponents, such as The Maryland State Education Association, the teacher’s union, said the bill, “overcomplicates a data snapshot that is intended to ensure adequate funding for schools.”
“There needs to be some course correction,” stated Szeliga.
After speaking with Project Baltimore, Szeliga sent letters to Rick Henry, The Maryland Inspector General for Education, and Maryland Representative Andy Harris requesting state and federal investigations into the funding of students who cannot be located. Fox45 News will keep you posted on any response.
“Last year, the Maryland General Assembly passed the largest tax increases in the history of our state, and we’re being told this is for education,” said Szeliga. “Perhaps this gross, mismanagement of attendance records will actually cause a change, and taxpayers are not being fleeced for students who are not going to school.”